A senior Iranian lawmaker says firm international resolve is required to counter the scourge of terrorism plighting Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq and Syria.

“By providing terrorist groups with financial and arms aid and strengthening them, the US and its regional allies have made a big mistake whose containment requires collective and international cooperation among all world countries,” Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Alaedddin Boroujerdi said in a meeting with Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonoura.

He added that Iran is earnestly engaged in the campaign against terrorism and said intelligence cooperation between Tehran and Tokyo can help fight terrorism.

The Iranian legislator further pointed to historical and deep-rooted relations between Iran and Japan and said the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 group of countries and the easing of sanctions against Tehran have prepared more appropriate grounds for the further expansion of Tehran’s ties with Tokyo.

Boroujerdi added that the high level of interaction between the parliaments and governments of Iran and Japan should be used to improve relations in areas of common interest.

Terrorist groups have no place in Japan

The Japanese minister, for his part, said terrorist and extremist groups, including Daesh Takfiris, have no presence or support whatsoever in his country and called for international cooperation to fight them.

He added that the international community must make efforts to establish security in the Middle East region.

He called for the expansion of cooperation with Iran in scientific, nuclear and environmental sectors along with good political and parliamentary ties.

The Japanese minister, who is in Tehran for a day-long visit, had held talks with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi earlier in the day.